# How to Backside 180

> A backside 180 is an ollie where you and the board turn 180 degrees toward your toe side, with your back leading the spin. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/backside-180
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Flat ground · Level 3 of 5 · Learn first: [Ollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/ollie)

## The short answer

A backside 180 is an ollie where you and the board turn 180 degrees toward your toe side, with your back leading the spin. Set the ball of your back foot in the center of the tail, and your front foot in ollie position with the heel hanging slightly off. Turn your shoulders backside as you pop, let your back lead the rotation, then spot the landing before you commit to it.

## Where your feet go

- **Regular:** Ball of the back foot in the center of the tail. Front foot in ollie position with the heel hanging slightly off. Turn your shoulders backside as you pop.
- **Goofy:** Ball of the back foot in the center of the tail. Front foot in ollie position with the heel hanging slightly off. Turn your shoulders backside as you pop.

## Step by step

Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.

1. **Set up:** Ball of your back foot in the center of the tail. Front foot in ollie position, heel hanging slightly off.
2. **Pop:** Pop the ollie while turning your shoulders backside, letting your back start to lead the spin.
3. **Turn:** Keep your back leading the rotation while the board follows underneath you.
4. **Spot:** Spot your landing over your shoulder before you commit your weight to it.
5. **Land:** Land with both feet over the bolts, facing the new direction, and roll away.

## Troubleshooting

### You can't see the landing until you're already down

**Why:** You're not spotting it early enough during the blind part of the spin.

**Fix:** Turn your head to find the landing before your shoulders finish rotating.

### The spin stalls around 90 degrees

**Why:** Your shoulders aren't committing to lead the turn backside.

**Fix:** Turn your shoulders backside harder at the pop, and let your back genuinely lead.

### You spin too far past 180

**Why:** You're over-rotating your shoulders instead of stopping the turn at 180.

**Fix:** Pick the landing and stop your shoulder rotation there instead of continuing to spin.

### You land off balance, leaning back

**Why:** You're committing your weight before the board catches up.

**Fix:** Wait to commit your weight until you've spotted the landing and the board is under you.

## Drill

10 backside 180s on flat ground, focused on spotting the landing early rather than spinning fast.

## FAQ

### Which way does a backside 180 turn?

It turns toward your toe side, with your back leading the rotation.

### Is backside 180 harder than frontside 180?

It depends on the skater. Backside spins are blind for longer, which some people find harder to spot.

### How long does it take to learn a backside 180?

Usually several weeks of regular practice once your ollie is consistent, since spotting a blind landing takes extra reps.

### Why do I keep catching my back wheels on landing?

You're likely under-rotating and landing before the full 180. Commit your shoulders further through the turn.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Ollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/ollie)
- Next: [Frontside 180](https://getskateai.com/tricks/frontside-180)
- Next: [Backside Boardslide](https://getskateai.com/tricks/backside-boardslide)
- Next: [Half Cab](https://getskateai.com/tricks/half-cab)
- Next: [Backside Flip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/backside-flip)

App: [Skate AI: Kickflip Ollie Coach on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6814983538)

## Related

- [Intermediate tricks, easiest to hardest](https://getskateai.com/intermediate-skateboard-tricks)
- [Foot placement chart for every flat trick](https://getskateai.com/skateboard-foot-placement-chart)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)